Hoda Kotb is setting the record straight once and for all on those talk show rumors — especially the ones about Kelly Clarkson.
“I heard there were rumors that you might be starting a daytime talk show,” a fan said during the Thursday, June 5, episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. “Is that something you would ever consider doing?”
Kotb, 60, clarified that the fan was asking about the Clarkson “rumor” before giving her answer.
“I feel like Kelly is in a class all by herself,” Kotb said. “My whole thing with talk shows and all that stuff. I’m a never say-never person. You don’t know what life’s gonna bring you. But, at this moment, I’m having such fun with the ride that I’m on.”
However, Kotb did say that “TV is my first love” hinting that she could be open to an opportunity in the future.
Rumors started swirling online late last month that Kotb would be taking over Clarkson’s eponymous talk show. A source confirmed to Us Weekly exclusively on May 27 that the speculation was “not true.”
Kotb is currently focused on the recent launch of her wellness app and gearing up for the September release of her book Jump and Find Joy: Embracing Change in Every Season of Life.
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In late May, she made her return to the Today show months after stepping down from her hosting gig. Kotb was also quick to shut down the Clarkson rumors during that appearance.
“Do you think if I ever came back to TV, do you know where the only place I would ever come back to is? Right here,” Kotb said, noting that her former Today costars are like “family.”
During Thursday’s WWHL appearance, Kotb was also asked about her replacement on Today With Jenna & Friends. (The show’s name was changed following Kotb’s departure, with Jenna Bush Hager having a new celeb cohost each week until a permanent replacement is chosen.)
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“Anybody would be so lucky. But to me, the contenders are Savannah [Guthrie], I think she would be great. I think Justin Sylvester is amazing,” Kotb said. “Scarlett Johansson crushed it. She said it was her favorite job.”
However, she noted that Johansson is an unlikely choice.
“Matt Rogers is great,” she said, sharing more names. “And also our dear friend Sheinelle Jones who is going through a horrible time, but I think she would be good. I feel like it’s whoever clicks great with Jenna.”
